But the fact remains that he is the duly elected leader of his country, and apparently a very popular one at that. Only a year ago, he survived a recall election with a comfortable 59.2% of the vote - this in an election certified fair by the likes of the Carter Center and the OAS. Which is more than the Boy King can claim, by the way.

And so I find it especially appalling that a mainstream Republican (and noted man of God) like Pat Robertson would suggest - nay, state explicitly! - that we ought to have Hugo Chavez assassinated.

You know, that's just the sort of thing that leads some people to question our commitment to democracy. Go figure.